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First Aid/CPR/AED Certification/Safety Training

Chapter 33 of the Texas Education Code, section 33.086 states:

§33.086. Certification in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and First Aide.

(a) A school district employee who serves as the head director of a school marching band or as the head coach or chief sponsor for an extracurricular athletic activity, including cheerleading, sponsored or sanctioned by a school district or the University Interscholastic League must maintain and submit to the district proof of current certification in first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation issued by the American Red Cross, the American Heart Association, or another organization that provides equivalent training and certification.

(b) Each school district shall adopt procedures necessary for administering this section, including procedures for the time and manner in which proof of current certification must be submitted.

§ 22.902. Instruction related to Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and use of Automated External Defibrillator.

(a) A school district shall annually make available to district employees and volunteers instruction in the principles and techniques of cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the use of an automated external defibrillator, as defined by Section 779.001, Health and Safety Code.

(b) The instruction provided in the use of an automated external defibrillator must meet guidelines for auto- mated external defibrillator training approved under Section 779.002, Health and Safety Code.

(c) Each school nurse, assistant school nurse, athletic coach or sponsor, physical education instructor, marching band director, cheerleading coach, and any other school employee specified by the commissioner and each student who serves as an athletic trainer must participate in the instruction in the use of an automated external defibrillator. A person described by this subsection must receive and maintain certification in the use of an automated external defibrillator from the American Heart Association, the American Red Cross, or a similar nationally recognized association.

(d) The commissioner shall adopt rules as necessary to implement this section.

(e) This subsection applies only to a private school that receives an automated external defibrillator from the agency or receives funding from the agency to purchase or lease an automated external defibrillator. A private school shall adopt a policy under which the school makes available to school employees and volunteers instruction in the principles and techniques of cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the use of an automated external defibrillator. The policy must comply with the requirements prescribed by this section and commissioner rules adopted under this section, including the requirements prescribed by Subsection (c).

(a) The commissioner by rule shall develop and adopt an extra- curricular activity safety training program as provided by this section. In developing the program, the commissioner may use materials available from the American Red Cross, Emergency Medical Systems (EMS), or another appropriate entity.

(b) The following persons must satisfactorily complete the safety training program:

(1) a coach, trainer, or sponsor for an extracurricular athletic activity;

(2) except as provided by Subsection (f), a physician who is employed by a school or school district or who volunteers to assist with an extracurricular athletic activity; and

(3) a director responsible for a school marching band.

(c) The safety training program must include:

(1) certification of participants by the American Red Cross, the American Heart Association, or a similar organization or the University Interscholastic League, as determined by the commissioner;

(2) current training in:

(A) emergency action planning;

(B) cardiopulmonary resuscitation if the person is not required to obtain certification under Section 33.086;

(C) communicating effectively with 9-1-1 emergency service operators and other emergency personnel; and

(D) recognizing symptoms of potentially catastrophic injuries, including head and neck injuries, concussions, injuries related to second impact syndrome, asthma attacks, heatstroke, cardiac arrest, and injuries requiring use of a defibrillator; and

(3) at least once each school year, a safety drill that incorporates the training described by Subdivision (2) (D).

(d) A school district shall provide training to students participating in an extracurricular athletic activity related to:

(1) recognizing the symptoms of injuries described by Subsection (c)(2)(D); and

(2) the risks of using dietary supplements designed to enhance or marketed as enhancing athletic performance.

(e) The safety training program and the training under Subsection (d) may be conducted by a school or school district or by an organization described by Subsection (c)(1).

(f) A physician who is employed by a school or school district or who volunteers to assist with an extracurricular athletic activity is not required to complete the safety training program if the physician attends a continuing medical education course that specifically addresses emergency medicine.

HB 2038 as passed by the 82nd Legislature and signed by the Governor also added section 38.158 to the Texas Education Code, which concerns training requirements for coaches, athletic trainers and potential members of a Concussion Oversight Team in the subject matter of concussions, including evaluation, prevention, symptoms, risks, and long-term effects. For purposes of compliance with TEC section 38.158, the UIL authorizes all Continuing Professional Education (CPE) providers that are approved and registered by the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) and Texas Education Agency (TEA) as approved individuals and organizations to provide concussion education training. A current listing of approved providers is found here: http://www.uiltexas.org/health/info/ concussions